Malware attack strikes energy companies

Check Point comments on the vulnerability of infrastructure objects after malware strikes energy companies across Europe and the USA

Following the news that 1,000 energy companies in North America and Europe have been compromised in a huge malware attack Keith Bird, UK managing director for Check Point commented:

“This incident highlights how even security-conscious organisations are at serious risk from attacks that use bots or other stealthy malware. Irrespective of the motivation behind these activities, this shows how the same malware tools can be used to disrupt critical infrastructure. Whether the organisation behind the attack is a criminal gang or a state agency is immaterial as the crux of the issue is the fact it was possible.

“Our 2014 Security Report showed that on average, new malware hits organisations 6 times per hour, and two of those malware types will not be recognised by the company’s anti-malware defences. Indeed our report found that, worldwide, 73% of private and government organisations were infected with bots that they didn’t know about, and 77% had been active for at least four weeks. The fact that Dragonfly has gone undetected for 3 years, however, is concerning and goes to show just how important multiple layers of protection, and security-aware employees, are to organisations of any size – especially those that provide vital services.”